The 2025 Halloween Raceday at Bangor-On-Dee had a healthy mixture of thrills, spills, spooks, and scares. With recent winners at this meeting including 2024 Topham Chase hero Arizona Cardinal, all eyes were on another competitive six-race card for this year’s edition. Which future stars would come to the fore in 2025?
Race 1 – Halloween Raceday Handicap Chase (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m 1 ½f)
Fresh from a recent success at Southwell, Neigh Botha (14/1) scored again in rather fortunate circumstances when taking the opener, gifted the lead over the last before going on to score by 9 lengths for Toby Wynne and the Greenall-Guerriero team. Racing in rear throughout the contest, Neigh Botha was ridden patiently for the most part under Toby Wynne, never really put into the race until rounding the home turn. With Rodney (13/2) looking comfortable out in front and market leader Sleeping Satellite (3/1F) struggling to go with him, Neigh Botha was left to stay on through beaten horses, eventually moving into a well-beaten second place. However, after a tumbling fall from Rodney left him well clear at the last, Neigh Botha stuck on well towards the line, taking full advantage and providing Toby Wynne with a tenth winner of the season!
Race 2 – Paul Ferguson Jumpers To Follow Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 4 ½f)
Jumping well in the main, Molto Bene (6/1) led from pillar to post when running out an impressive winner of the second race, scooting clear by 6 lengths under Lilly Pinchin for the Charlie Longsdon yard. Setting a steady tempo through the opening two miles, Molto Bene seemed at ease out in front, holding a narrow advantage over High Treason (6/1) as Ridin Solo (11/1) began to make ground ahead of Saracen Beau (13/2). Moving nicely as the field began to bunch up in behind, Molto Bene held all the cards over the second-last fence, hopping over a length clear of Sunday Soldier (12/1) as Saracen Beau plugged his way into third. Ridden more firmly but extending away in fine style, Molto Bene had little to worry about in the final furlong, putting in a big leap at the last before being nudged out towards the line. Another jockey up to ten winners for the season, Lilly Pinchin is at the top of her game right now, operating at a 22% strike rate!
Race 3 – Archway Homes Malpas Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 3m)
Adding a second course victory to his CV, Betterforeveryone (3/1) rallied well to land the third race of the afternoon, sneaking home by ¾ of a length for Tom Bellamy and Alan King. Always to the fore, Betterforeveryone raced in the slipstream of Good Work (9/2) through the first couple of miles, the pair lengthening clear of the field as they made their way down the far side of the track. Taking over at the third-last obstacle, Betterforeveryone briefly looked in trouble around the turn into the straight, scrapping for the lead as Bridget Mary (6/4F) delivered her challenge over two-out. However, not willing to lie down without a fight, Betterforeveryone rallied strongly in the final furlong, staying on well to see off a plucky Bridget Mary in taking fashion. An owner with positive memories of the track, Rupert Anton also had a winner here in 2020 with Wynn House; a future two-time winner of the Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Hurdle at Wincanton!
Race 4 – Elevenses Distillery Alfie’s Legacy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Mares’ Hurdle Qualifier) (Class 4, 3yo+, 2m 3 ½f)
A remarkably consistent mare, Rockola Vogue (9/2) scored for a fourth time when successful in Race 4, extending away by 4 lengths at the finish to score under Kielan Woods for trainers David Killahena & Graeme McPherson. Waited with in rear, Rockola Vogue was given a patient ride throughout under Kielan Woods, content to allow Eureka Creek (12/1) to set the fractions up front as Diplomatie (15/2) struggled to keep up in last place. Under a ride but making smooth headway around the home turn, Rockola Vogue began to catch the eye on the approach to the second-last flight, circling the field to take closer order at the two-furlong pole. Now in the clear and readily finding for pressure, it didn’t take long for Rockola Vogue to assert in the closing stages, kicking clear over the last to secure a comfortable victory. A great year for the stable, Killahena & McPherson also enjoyed Grade 2 success at Doncaster in January with Yellow Car!
Race 5 – Classic Additions Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3, 4yo+, 2m ½f)
The easiest winner of the day by some margin, Spectacularsunrise (10/11F) scored by a whopping 12 lengths in the fifth race of the day, providing yet another winner for in-form jockey Sam Twiston-Davies. Prominent throughout, Spectacularsunrise either led or raced in second for the majority of the fifth race, jumping well as the field got more and more strung out down the far side of the track. As Killcarn (33/1) began to weaken out of second place towards the final couple of obstacles, Spectacularsunrise was left with a commanding advantage rounding the final bend, still well clear of market rival Douglas Hyde (13/8) and stablemate Super Freddie (10/1). Nudged along into the wings of the penultimate flight, Spectacularsunrise soon quickened away on the run to the last and after another fine leap, the exciting novice readily put the race to bed ahead of Super Freddie, bringing up a satisfying 1-2 for Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies. Already enjoying a fine run of form, the winning trainers are now up to 25 wins for the season!
Race 6 – Countryside Day on 12th November Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4, 4yo+, 2m 7f)
Clearly enjoying his switch to a new yard, Doctor Kildare (11/4F) scored for a second time at Bangor-On-Dee when taking the final race by 2 lengths, ridden out by Dylan Johnston to score for Welsh trainer Sam Thomas. In touch with the leaders, Doctor Kildare travelled nicely in a well-bunched field for much of the opening two miles, racing alongside Jack Sprat (17/2) as Serious Chat (5/1) set the pace. Making smooth progress over the third-last hurdle, Doctor Kildare really caught the eye on the run to two-out, sneaking between rivals to challenge for the lead as the field entered the home straight. In front over the second-last, Doctor Kildare briefly had a fight on his hands as Jack Sprat made a bid for the lead towards the final hurdle, but sticking on well under pressure, the leader quickened away again, hopping over the last and keeping on well to score. A team in form, owner, trainer and jockey also teamed up for a recent win in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow, landing the spoils with the exciting Celtic Dino!
Race report by Adam Perkins
